National Democratic Institute for International Affairs

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) is "a nonprofit organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. Calling on a global network of volunteer experts, NDI provides practical assistance to civic and political leaders advancing democratic values, practices and institutions. NDI works with democrats in every region of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and to promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government."

Activities

 * Supplying election observers: The four organizations receiving most of the NED funding also supply election observers. NDI has supplied election observers for the Nicaraguan elections, and have also been paid by USAID . (Account of NDI's activities)
 * Election observers to the Palestinian 2005 elections. NDI supplied 80 observers working in tandem with the Carter Center. NDI was also instrumental in setting up the Civic Forum, a Palestinian grassroots civic education program . The NDI contingent was led by Patrick Merloe, NDI Director for Elections Program.  NB: Most of the same group of observers had just spent a weeks observing the recent elections in Ukraine. [Source: YourCallRadio.org, January 10, 2005]
 * Funding voter training: Where the US is attempting to create a political framework compatible with its interests, it is willing to create and fund parties. In the case of Iraq, Les Campbell, the NDI's Iraq manager, told The Independent his organisation had only spent money on voter training. No money had been spent to fund political parties, he said."

NDI Board of Directors & Senior Advisory Committee (February 2005)
 * Madeleine K. Albright, Chairman

Contact details
2030 M Street, NW Fifth Floor Washington, DC 20036-3306 Phone: (202) 728-5500 Fax: (202) 728-5520 Web: http://www.ndi.org

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Carter Center
 * Center for Democracy and Election Management